AFRICA North Western Sheet. Inset of Liberia. Colton c1855.

by Colton, Joseph Hutchins

Fine Colton antique map of north-west Africa c1855, with Azores, southern Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica; and larger detail of Liberia at lower left. Cape Verde Islands extends through the decorative, typical Colton border at the left. This map was Entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1855, by J.H. Colton & Co. in the Clerks Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern Districts of New York.

Joseph Hutchins Colton established a successful map publishing firm with a reputation for decorative maps with intricately engraved borders. Colton was one of the earliest map-making businesses based in New York. JH Colton began publishing maps in the 1830s after purchasing the map plates of David H. Burr. Colton re-engraved the plates to reflect political changes and new discoveries. In the early 1850s Joseph's sons George Woolworth Colton and Charles B. Colton joined the family firm. Colton Company was financially assisted by Alvin Jewett Johnson who began working as a salesman for J.H. Colton & Company in 1856. He became absorbed with map-making and acquired their steel-engraved map plates in 1859. Johnson, with a succession of partners, continued to produce maps in the Colton style until the late 19th century.

This is a beautiful and interesting map. The map has wide margins as published, but has age-related soiling to the edges of the page, loss of tiny pieces from edges and small extremity tears and repairs. Priced in recognition of imperfections. Page size: 560 x 385mm (approx. 22 x 14 inches). To outside of engraved border: 400 x 330mm (15.75 x 13 inches).